French jockey cops hefty ban for causing life threatening fall

A 24-year-old jockey is fighting for life after a shocking race fall, with the rider responsible handed a lengthy suspension by stewards.

Bailey Rogerson — granddaughter of a Melbourne Cup-winning trainer — is in an induced coma in a New Zealand hospital, The Sun reports. Her legendary grandfather Graeme Rogerson, who prepared 2007 Cup hero Efficient, said Bailey’s mother, former jockey Michelle Northcott, has remained by her bedside.

“She is in an induced coma, but they are going to try to bring her out of that on Monday,” he said.

“She has a fracture in her skull, and there might also be a broken bone in her neck region, but they haven’t been able to X-ray her for that yet.

“But she has movement in her limbs, so that is good news.

“We will know more today when she is brought out of the coma, and obviously, we are all very worried. But she is very tough.”

French jockey Corentin Berge has been suspended for one month for “allowing his mount to dangerously move out and eventually check Rogerson’s horse”.

Earlier on the program, Bailey celebrated her 58th career victory when Burnished scored in the Waitomo Fuels 1400m.